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If you are Class 2 prospecting on the Coker Creek GPAA permit. Please remember to re-register with the Chapter for continued permission to use the permit - Renewal date is January 1st each year. -----------------------------------------------+++-------------------------------------------------------Update User Profiles - Please add your GPAA or LDMA Membership Number to your Profile.

What a man does is as important as his last name. We work! Most of us have careers, so what is it you do? Me I am a commercial driver. I drive a concrete mixer. In Knoxville tn. Its most boys dream to grow up n drive big trucks. I'm so lucky.

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my videos on youtube are under Pastor sam and Victoria. I have several playlist so look at the prospecting list for some goofy prospecting vids, Be blessed, and enjoy!

nx4cnx4c

I'm retired now. Retired from the Knoxville Fire Department with 30 years service and from the Air Force, mostly ANG...21 years there. I loved the Fire Department, the excitement was great at times and a big rush. Would do it all over again. In the ANG I was in a Combat Communications Unit, got to see a number of countries that wouldn't have got to see and did a time in Desert Storm. Seen a lot of things I never dreamed of both good and bad. That was my Profession.

i drive 18 wheelers for ceva logistics in chattanooga. been driving trucks since 1987 and i'm pretty tired of it but it pays the bills. one thing about truck driving is that you will never be unemployed unless you want to be.

Sam, I read your original post that you were a "commercial DIVER", and couldn't figure out how a concrete mixer fit that profession. I had to re-read it about three times before I caught my mistake.

I have done Many things for a living, but the full explanation of my current job normally makes peoples heads swim. So to reduce confusion I say that I am a Computer Analyst. This doesn't mean I can fix a PC when it breaks though.

DIVER: meant driver chip thanks for catching that / I was n desert storm to as a marine mech. infantry - congrats on retirement! / and magic I have clearance so you can tell me without killing me / thanks for input men!

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my videos on youtube are under Pastor sam and Victoria. I have several playlist so look at the prospecting list for some goofy prospecting vids, Be blessed, and enjoy!

rkryder

Hi, Sam & everyone. I am a Pastor/Minister (Baptist, please don't shoot.) I am between churches now. Been in the ministry for 39 years.I've always had to work for a living, so for the last 25 years I have been a Dish Network retailer/installer. (Self employed) I am also an Excede Internet dish dealer. Gotta pay the bills some how for 4 more years.

DIVER: meant driver chip thanks for catching that / I was n desert storm to as a marine mech. infantry - congrats on retirement! / and magic I have clearance so you can tell me without killing me / thanks for input men!

DIVER: meant driver chip thanks for catching that / I was n desert storm to as a marine mech. infantry - congrats on retirement! / and magic I have clearance so you can tell me without killing me / thanks for input men!

Even though you have clearance, you don't have a NEED TO KNOW...

Well said, anyone that has ever had a clearance knows you have to have the need to know to be privy of that classified document. I have told a General that I couldn't show some classified info that I was in control of without it being cleared from my commander. Come to find out later that was a test to see if I would show it to him. It would have been my but if had.

Lol you are right about a need to know... Infact the less I know the less I am liable for in a court of law its great hearing where you guys worked are workingalso glad to hear I have a nother minister in the group and I won't shoot you for being Baptist. you never know you might have been the one to do my install on my dish service.

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my videos on youtube are under Pastor sam and Victoria. I have several playlist so look at the prospecting list for some goofy prospecting vids, Be blessed, and enjoy!

I am currently a designer in a Structural Engineering firm. I was previously employed in the field of Architectural Precast Concrete as an estimator/cad detailer/concrete technician/office manager, etc.

I started out wanting to be a Geologist but never pursued it. See what happens???

i guess im pretty much retired.lost my work about 3 months after my last wife passed away.havent been able to find work since i moved back to tn.former professions wereautomotive brake mechanicshort order cookassociate manager petro in atlanta service dept.did home repairs remodeling apt. maintenence for around 20 years on and off.all aspects.now prospector spelled bum for short.

corundumaniac

I would like to say gold digger, which is what I am for a month every summer on our claims in Montana, but my real day job is community college math instructor. I've been teaching for more than 50 years (started as an undergrad TA at Georgia Tech in 1963), so you may soon see a revised post where I say retired community college math instructor, currently full-time gold digger.

May I suggest that not only professions but also hobbies (other than the gold prospecting of course) and moonlights might be worth sharing?

Let me begin by saying that I found out about your group because of an interest in professional videography and TV cameras, making a connection with Chuck Pharis an inevitability (and when I found out he was a gold nut too, the hook was set)! I also hang around the Carolinas for a couple of weeks every May and June, doing geological research (reserve mapping) and looking for corundum specimens for our collection - hope to see y'all at the May meeting!

Hi Sam. I flip alot of stuff from hotrod autos/parts to anitiques.Just about any. Love to hunt junkyards and private collections. Even do fleamarket hunts. I always know someone looking to buy/collect. Its easy money

I had to put myself "out to pasture" over 3 yrs ago. Hurt my back. I've got 20 yrs in construction, and another 15 yrs doing anything to pay the bills (legally).Fortunately, my hubbie is still hanging in there and supporting us.

I am enjoying reading this post. It is interesting to know what your fellow prospectors do off the river!I have had many jobs. I always wanted to work in Television and Radio Engineering.1960s: DJ and Chief Engineer at various radio stations near San Francisco1966 to 1970: Military Police Officer1970 to 1972: I worked for GE at a Nuclear Reactor. I analyzed air samples from the U-2 Spy plane. TRUE!1972 to 1976: Television Engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area1976 to 2003: Senior Video Engineer for ABCs Wide World Of Sports and ABC TV Network in Hollywood, Ca. 2003 to date, Senior Video Engineer for ESPN Sports. Currently semi-retired working 5 months a year.I also worked for the GPAA from 1994 to 2001 as their camera man with Tom Massie. I shot the Gold Fever Shows for The Outdoor Channel. This was a part time job.I also own my own business, buying, rebuilding and selling vintage broadcasting equipment. Somewhere in there I try and find time to fish and prospect for gold!Chuck

« Last Edit: January 09, 2014, 09:38:32 AM by Chuck Pharis »

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Chuck PharisEast Tennessee Coker Creek GPAA Chapter President (June 19, 2010 to June 20, 2015) Member of the Board Of Directors. GPAA Lifetime member, Former LDMA[/size]

I am enjoying reading this post. It is interesting to know what your fellow prospectors do off the river!I have had many jobs. I always wanted to work in Television and Radio Engineering.1960s: DJ and Chief Engineer at various radio stations near San Francisco1966 to 1970: Military Police Officer1970 to 1972: I worked for GE at a Nuclear Reactor. I analyzed air samples from the U-2 Spy plane. TRUE!1972 to 1976: Television Engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area1976 to 2003: Senior Video Engineer for ABCs Wide World Of Sports and ABC TV Network in Hollywood, Ca. 2003 to date, Senior Video Engineer for ESPN Sports. Currently semi-retired working 5 months a year.I also worked for the GPAA from 1994 to 2001 as their camera man with Tom Massie. I shot the Gold Fever Shows for The Outdoor Channel. This was a part time job.I also own my own business, buying, rebuilding and selling vintage broadcasting equipment. Somewhere in there I try and find time to fish and prospect for gold!Chuck

Oh, so you're one of those that add lead into the streams but at least you're pulling it out with your dredge and sluice?

I am a production supervisor at a company called Chattem in Chattanooga. before there I was a production manager for an industrial cabinet manufacturer. That is all I have worked in the 34 years in the south.

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csa_atty

Good evening all, I enjoy reading this post as well. Maybe we can start bartering a few services. I'm an attorney, currently working as in house counsel with one of our fed gov't agencies. Before this position, I was in private practice for about 5-6 yrs and had my own office for a few.

Casey

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DALEBEC

I am a wanna be Millionaire/ Venture Capitalist but since i must suck at that since it hasnt happened yet i am currently a Field Service Tech/Engineer, for a conveyor manufacturer and travel this great country making sure your products get shipped to you... with background in about everything, welding, fabrication, construction, heavy equipment operation, owned my own concrete business, farmer, electrical, plumbing, pretty much anything i put my mind too...Hobbies: to many to mention but a few areProspector-Cook-Metal detecting/treasure/Indian artifact/ relic hunting. Most anything to do with American HistoryFish HuntRock hound now lapidary workWine makerScuba diverWoodworkerMetal workerOk you get the idea i have a hard time focusing, lol

corundumaniac

How far is it from Franklin, NC to your house by 2-wheel drive road? (I saw the map - made me wish I was a crow.)

I might come and do windows for TV camera parts to complete some setups (cosmetically at least, for display in technology exhibits). Mine are more recent than yours, but maybe "with your looks and my brains, we can make a real monster!"

Hey Will, we need to talk about what you need. I am on the road until April with ESPN. Call me at home Monday evenings as I am normally home then.Email me a list of what you are looking for. I have a lot of spares. I am 16 miles south of our Coker Creek property, and 3 miles from NC, in the south east corner of TN.chuck@pharis-video.com

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Chuck PharisEast Tennessee Coker Creek GPAA Chapter President (June 19, 2010 to June 20, 2015) Member of the Board Of Directors. GPAA Lifetime member, Former LDMA[/size]

corundumaniac

While we're on the topic of drones, my first though is they will disappear and reappear with new paint jobs as kid's radio controlled toys. I for one can't wait to see how this new delivery paradigm proceeds, and have already ordered my Duck Dynasty drone net!

DALEBEC

Amazon is one of many of my customers i go to, about 25 different sites across the US. I also have other customers such as: Firestone, JCP, Tire Rack, Macy's, several liquor distributors, Home Depot to mane a few my conveyor is a telescopic conveyor mounted in shipping and receiving doors

I do find quite a bit of gold in the waste water, mostly when septic haulers bring loads pumped from septic tanks! Ive found about 8 gold teeth 3/4 carrat diamond rings 22k necklaces probably from indian descent people, i find alot in the sewer.

I'm a Grocery Store Manager for a large South East chain. Have been with them for 24 years. Been in the business for about 28 years. One of the best things about this business is that I can get all the free Buckets I want!! I use buckets every time I go prospecting. I have turned them into a Trommel(thanks to Mike;s hand trommel on you tube), a sluice , a rocker box ,storage for concentrates or whatever.

I guess the older we are the more we have done!In the early 70's I taught anatomy and physiology to nursing students at UT.Got my post grad degree in Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, in 1975.Practiced in Stevens Point, WI 10 years. Moved back to Maryville area and practiced till having a carrear ending stroke. Also was involved in politicts in Blout Co. and Rockford prior to my stroke.Still unable to drive since stroke, I do pan cons in my back yard!Joe

Wow what a great response... We got a lot of smart folks on here... And we find we got something in common with a few others as well for me I find a fellow minister in rob ryker a fellow military policeman in chuck, a man who like me works around concrete (al) found out dale hunts gold in my native state of indiana. Small world huh?

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my videos on youtube are under Pastor sam and Victoria. I have several playlist so look at the prospecting list for some goofy prospecting vids, Be blessed, and enjoy!

eawebb

Ex-Marine gunner and a retired Mississippi Wildlife Enforcement officer. Having a real hard time understanding the dredge ban since I was a game warden as I was often called among other things!LOL. Seems very stupid to me since I have had bass and other fish take over my dredge hole while I was in it. I personaly have had to push fish aside with my hand to get them away from my dredge nozzel. I think the reason most states that ban dredging are just too dang lazy to want to help out and do their part in helping sportsmen.

IPATRIOT

Hello all, Im a Lead sheet metal mechanic for a commercial HVAC company in Knoxville, Tn.. That being said Im only a vehicle mechanic on my own vehicles now. I install commercial/industrial HVAC systems. I also have been through many professions through the years from vehicle maintenance to time in the Air Force as load master in the 80s and 90s. I am now spending more time fishing and hunting rocks. Developed a fascination couple of years ago for Geology but too late in life to go into it for a living. I also farm and help my wife take care of 2 horses. Went with Al one time a year back and of course he found gold, I found a few small pieces and was hooked. Fortunately I live about 3 miles from the famed pull off at Little River so I have been there a few times and found a little more. So hard to decide, pan for gold or try for trout...

I've been a professional retiree for the past four years. Was fortunate enough to land a job with Norfolk Southern Railway for almost thirty two years, working as a locomotive electrician for several years, before becoming an electrical supervisor and later a transportation supervisor. Worked in several things before that, and opted for railroad stability, and security, and haven't looked back. It is a different lifestyle, but worth it. Don.

Industrial maintenance however that is one of many hats worn over the years... basically I am one of those guys who over the years has learned how to fix or fudge almost anything mechanical I get my hands on and I am getting better with electrical troubleshooting so long as its not component level.... Ie I can tell you the motor is good/bad or the board of microchips etc is the issue but dont really care what little gadget on the board is bad. I do have to admit my fly fishing for golden bones ( carp ) has gotten in the way of hunting flakes but this time of yr the fish are down so off to dig holes it is

Tuckeroo

Well I am a Bail bondsman for East Tennessee Bail Bonding Co. in Blount Co. I been bonding for about 4 years. Not as glam-eras as TV's DOG, but it can be close I need to find a different career something I can play with the toys and pay the bills, and have a life. In the last 30 years I done a lot of sales oriented jobs. It is been so slow really needing a better career. I started playing with gold since it was cheep to get into, and I kind of like the little gold stuff, when it decides to show up

I am a Chemical Engineer working in Oak Ridge.I am doing process design for a new facility here.Yes, I am a contractor doing support work for one of the plants here.

If I told you any more, I'd have to kill you!

I'm the guy who's job is to kill the one telling those classified secrets, Lol

I'm a Security Police Officer for Department of Energy in Oak Ridge, before that I was Security Police for the State Dept. in D.C. and before that was in the U.S. Marines, 3 years Infantry deployed several times with 31st MEU last 3 years as Embassy and Diplomatic Security overseas. I was lucky enough to hit 26 counties while I was on active duty enjoyed every min of it.

baldar77

I just got back to this forum after about a year hiatus. Interesting careers, folks. It shows how diverse our country is, and how much we can do. I just retired 2 weeks ago from fedex after 17 years.....and am already bored! I also worked for UPS in management prior to that for 17 years. I've owned a bar, bought/traded gold, silver and jewelry, spent 6 years in the Air Force. It looks like I'll be getting back to doing something.....I can't stand this sitting around. All the chores have been caught up, everythings painted. I suppose I'll have to be making a run down to Coker Creek for a few days, since it's been three years since I've been there. DAMN that drive from Louisville.

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BigTom

I just hit 20 years in the US Army today (retirement will be soon), I'm recovering from dual knee replacement so I will eventually be medically retired over 20 years. My wife (retired US Army 20 yrs) and I will be moving to our mountain home in Murphy. Now I will be able to enjoy the time with my kids and the beauty that the mountains bring.